Chiesa della Visitazione di Maria Vergine e di San Barnaba

Did the Countess of Mirafiori truly find her final resting place within these very walls? We stand before the Chiesa della Visitazione di Maria Vergine e di San Barnaba, a beacon of Baroque rustic style in Turin’s Mirafiori Sud district. This church, commissioned by Duke Vittorio Amedeo I of Savoy, first opened its doors in 1617. Its unadorned brick facade hints at the simple elegance within. Step inside the Chiesa della Visitazione di Maria Vergine e di San Barnaba, and you’ll find yourself in a space shaped like a Greek cross. A central nave stretches before you, flanked by two captivating chapels. To your right, a chapel dedicated to San Bernardo awaits. To your left lies the chapel of San Barnaba. It is here, beneath the painted ceiling, that Rosa Vercellana, the Countess of Mirafiori and morganatic wife of King Vittorio Emanuele II, is said to be buried. Her coat of arms, a testament to her unique position, adorns the ceiling above. The Chiesa della Visitazione di Maria Vergine e di San Barnaba became a parish church in 1724, serving the growing community. However, tragedy struck in 1980. A powerful earthquake shook Turin, causing the church’s bell tower to crumble. The convent also suffered significant damage. Today, the Chiesa della Visitazione di Maria Vergine e di San Barnaba continues to hold religious services. Yet, a more modern parish church, also dedicated to San Barnaba, now stands behind the original structure, a symbol of resilience and renewal. The simple brick facade of the Chiesa della Visitazione di Maria Vergine e di San Barnaba conceals a rich history, intertwined with royalty, tragedy, and the enduring spirit of faith.